Wattmeter circuit



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WATTMETER CIRCUIT Filed MarchV 28, 1947 2 shuts-shut 1 POWER REGL/IRM 70 NAINTAIN A CONSTANT yTHRMISTZ'R R/SANfE vIWC. 3 C' L c4 n n Tn `r9 mn mm. '7

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ATTORNEY Sept 14 1948 l E. w. HouG-HroN 2,449,072

, vwrr'rnmm crncun Filed larcn 28, 1947` 2 shuts-shut 2 POWER MAINS 3fm" f INVENTOR ATTO/wry page 711.

Patented Sept. 14, 1948 war'rnm'raa CIRCUIT Edward W. Houghton, Chatham, N. J., assignor to Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application March 28, 1947, Serial No. 737,948

This invention relates to power measuring apparatus and more particularly to apparatus especially adapted for measuring the power delivered` by high frequency systems:

Heretofore, power measurements have been made in high frequency circuits by utilizing a. power measuring bridge containing a temperature variable resistor in one of its arms. 'I'he high frequency power to. be measured is dissipated in this resistor whereby its temperature and resistance are changed, thus unbalancing the bridge. Various indicating devices have been employed to .interpret the unbalance in terms of the power to be measured. In some of the more recent bridge circuits the bridge is returned to balance by changing the power dissipation in the thermally sensitive resistor by auxiliary means. This auxiliary means iscalibrated and hence the change in power required to rebalance the bridge is known and is taken as the amount of high frequency DOWEI.

.A common form of thermally sensitive resistor which has been found very useful in this art is known as the thermistor. This is a vconti-action of the words "thermal resistor and designates a type of circuit element whose electrical resistmistors are made from a `class of materials known as semiconductors which have relatively large negative coefficients. More detailed infomation concerning thesenon-linear resistance devices n may be obtained by reference tothe Bell Laboratories Record for December 1940. page 106; Reference may also `be made to the Itransactions section of Electrical Engineering for November 1946,

An example of some ofthe prior art power measuring circuits is discussed in Electronic Industries for June 1945, page 79. The fact that most present day therrnistors have negative coefficients is immaterial to this invention as materials of either sign are equally adaptable.

Measuring high frequency power by the prior art methods requires considerable time for the manual manipulation necessary to rebalance the bridge networks. A considerable source of error is also introduced by reason of the fact that the circuits are not compensated against ambient temperature variations. When taking into con' referring to It is an object of this invention to improve the accuracy of high frequency power measurements by providing a bridge measuring circuit of the type described wherein the balancing is automatically performed.

It is a further object of this invention to improve the accuracy of high frequency power measurement by automatically balancing the bridge network and also compensating it for yambient temperature variations.

The foregoing objects are achieved 'by this invention lby providing in combination a power measuring bridge having a thermistor in one of its arms and means for applying the high frequency -power to be measured to this thermistor to change its temperature and consequently its resistance. A separate source of variable power is vconnected to this bridge which is adapted to automatically maintain the bridge in substantial balance irrespective of all conditions tending to change the temperature and resistance of the thermistor. An indicating bridge is connected to the separate source of `variable power to indicate the variations of this power which is a measure of the high frequency power. This indicating brldge'also includes a thermistor as a part thereof and has a means for adjusting the power received by this thermistor from the variable power source whereby it may be made to render the indicating means insensitive to ambient temperature variations and sensitive only to any high frequency power applied to the thermistor in the power measuring bridge.

The invention may be better understood by the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an elementary schematic illustrating one of the fundamental principles of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagram graphically illustrating the temperature compensating feature of this invention;

Fig. 3 discloses a complete operative schemati of one embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 4 is another diagram somewhat similar to Fig. 3 but illustrating a different embodiment oi!l the invention;

Fig. 5 discloses a unitary switch control for controlling the-switching operations of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is illustrative of a power measuring head useful in the practice of this invention. Fig. 1 serves to illustrate the temperature compensation principlel of this invention which is based upon the fundamental properties of thermg SQIS. lt Will be noted that a source of alter- 3 natlng electric energy of voltage E is connected to two parallel paths each comprising a capacitorinserieswithalinearresistorandathermistor. The reactance oi the'capacitor in each case is negligibly small compared with the resistance oi the remainder oi each branch. Thus it will be noted that in one branch there is sitectively the resistance oi a thermistor To in series with a resistor Rs. whereas in the other parallel branch there is a thermistor'ia in series with a resistor Ru.- Now it is evident that as the voltage E or the.alternating source is varied. the amount oi power dissipated in each oi the thermistors is also varied. 'Ihe non-linear charactteristic oi these thermistors is such^that= their temperature `and resistance will vary considerably with changes in voltage. Furthermore, these .to changes in voltage E. It is, therefore. evident that ii' voltage E is continuously adjusted to maintain constant the resistance of lany other two thermistors are each subject to the same ambient temperature variations. The relationship `between ambient temperature variations and electric power dissipated in the thermistor is ex'- pressed approximately as follows:

R: Rne+015 where R=resistance of thermistor Re, B and C are constants =base of natural logarithms T=ambient temperature in degrees absolute P=tota1 electric power dissipated in thermistor It is quite evident from inspection of Equation 1 that the resistance of a thermistor will decrease with either increasing ambient temperature or with increasing electric power dissipation. Oi course in either case the temperature oi' the thermistor. is actually increased by reason oi theabsorption of energy from the. energy source. It is also evident that ii' the denominator oi the exponent be kept constant that the resistance R oi' the thermistor will remain constant. This is expressed:

T+ CP=a constant (2) It is evident from Equation 2 thatthe absolute temperature is related to the electric power dissipated in the thermistor in-a very simple manner provided, oi' course. the resistance of the thermistor is maintained constant. Referring again to Fig. 1, it will be noted that if the voltage E of the alternating source is maintained constant but the ambient temperature surrounding the. thermistor should varyLthe thermistor resist ance and also the power dissipation therein will vary. Therefore. in order to maintain the resistance of thermistor Ta constant for a change in ambient temperature, it is obvious that the voltage E of the alternating source must be varied to vary the electric power dissipation P as indicated by Equation.2.

To illustrate, assume that the ambient temperature has increased slightly. This tends to lower the thermistor resistance. The thermistor resistance may be returned to its original resistance by lowering the voltage E. Now "while similarly constructed thermistor connected to the same source by simply adjusting the resistancein series with it to the proper ilxed value.

'I'his principle will be'stiil more clearly under- I stood by referring to Fig. 2 wherein the power dissipation for the two thermistors is plotted against ambient temperature variations. It should be clearly understood that the ordinates refer to the power required to maintain the thermistor resistance constant. The curves are assumed characteristics for any two similarly constructed thermistors and are really plots ol Equation 2. It is assumedthat the characteristics of the two thermistors Ta and Te are actually different (diil'erent power-temperature slopes) and their power requirements also diil'er,

at some ambient temperature To. At this temperature Td thermistor Ta requires electric power ot an amount indicated at point c whereas thermistor To requires power of an amount represented Yby point c. Now assume that the ambient temperaturev increases from To to Ti. It is yfound that the amount of electric power to be dissipated in the thermistor Ta, in order to mainadjustments of this voltage will maintain \con vTo is varied. it will varyv the amount of power dissipated in the thermistor To and it also alters tain its resistance constant. has been changed from c to b. However. the amount of power change required to maintain the resistance of thermistor To constant is somewhat less. having reduced from point c to b'. Thus it is apparent that the rate oi change of electric-power dissipation with respect to changes in ambient temperature may be diilerent for one termistor than it is for the other.

Now referring to both Figs. 1 and 2, it -is assumed that for an ambient temperature change .from To to Ti the voltage E of the alternating source is lowered to maintain the resistance of thermistor Ta constant, thereby producing a change in power dissipation in thermistor Ta by the amount represented by o`b on Fig. 2. Since thermistor To is connected in a circuit parallel with thermistor Ta, the same voltage variation occurs across the branch including thermistor To.- The amount of power variation, however, need be only the amount represented by c'-b' in Fig. 2. By lsuitable, adjustment of resistor Raexactly this change of power dissipation may be caused to take place in thermistor Tc. -Because of the linear power-'ambient temperature characteristic ot these thermistors. it will be ap' the change in power dissipated in To with respect culated from experimental data obtained from l of the arms of a bridge network I.

assaova the two thermistors but it is usuallyl just as convenient to determine its value experimentally in the following manner: The resistances of both thermistors at one ambient temperature and at one voltage E is measured. Both thermistors are placed in an oven -or in a cooling chamber where the ambient temperature differs from' the first one by some arbitrary amount, say C.

The resistance Iof Ta is kept constant throughout these adjustments by adjusting voltage E. When thermal equilibrium is reached. Rs is adjusted to only partially returnthermistor Tc to its inig by this thermistor, its temperature tends to increase and its resistance is lowered. However, due to the automatic balancing feature of the oscillator, any tendency for radio frequency power to change the temperature and resistance-of this thermistor will vcause the oscillator to change its l output level thereby delivering less power to the thermistor. The net result is that for a given change in radio frequency power supplied to the thermistonsubstantially the same change in oscillator power will take place but of opposite sign, so that the sum of the power from the oscillator and the radio frequency power remains .substantially constant. It will, therefore. beobserved that a change in radio frequency power results in a change in power delivered by the oscillator and hence a change in oscillatorvoltage; thatis, a change in the output voltage from the highgain amplier 2. As the radio frequency power increases, the output voltage from the oscillator amplifier 2 lowers and vice versa. Whilea specific automatic balancing means has been disclosed in Fig. 3 it is evident to those matically varied so as to maintain its resistance substantially constant. This may be observed by referring to Fig.- 3. In this figure it willbe noted that the thermistor Tn is included in one The other three arms are essentially resistive and comprise resistor Ris. Ris and R11, respectively. `Capacitor Ci has a negligibly small reactance compared with resistor Rie. Capacitor Cs has a large reactance compared with the resistance of the thermistor Ta.

A high gain amplifier 2 has its input terminais connected to the output terminals of the bridge I through a capacitor Cu. The output vof the high gain amplifier 2 is coupled througha parallel-resonant circuit comprising capacitor Cm and inductor L. The input terminals of bridge 4I are included Vin this resonant circuit. Capacitor Cz is of negligibly small reactance. This combination of bridge and high gain amplifier comprises a bridge stabilized oscillator of the general type disclosed in United States Patent 2,163,403 to Meacham granted June 20, 1939. The operation of the bridge stabilized oscillator as employed in this invention is as follows. The

frequency is largely determined by the capacitance of capacitor Cm and the inductance of inductor L. 'Ihe voltage output of the amplifier 2 is determined bythe resistance Acondition of thermistor Ta. For a-given ambient temperature condition for which the thermistor resistance is higher than its value at balance. the voltage output of the amplifier will be high but gradually lowers as the thermistor resistance lowi ers to the point where the bridge is substantially balanced. Of course a slight unbalance will be necessary. as taught by the Meacham patent, in-

order to provide an input for the high gain amplifier 2. However, due to the high gain of this -amplifler, this'unbalance voltage may beA very form substantially the same function.

skilled in the art-that it is not essential that this particular arrangement be employed. Other known arrangements may be substituted to provide essentially the same functions. For example, the automatic balancing arrangement shown inv United States Patent 2,166,935 to Adams `granted July 25, 1939 or the balancing arrangement of United States Patent 2,239,781 to Golicke et al. granted April 29, 1941 will each per- The oscillator arrangement disclosed in this application, however, is preferred because of its. simplicity and speed of response.

It was previously stated that a change in radio frequency power received by the radio frequency thermistor Ta produces a change in output voltage supplied from the amplifier 2 of the oscillator. This -isof course, also the feedback voltage supplied to the bridge l through capacitor Cz. In order to measure this radio frequency power, it is onlynecessary to provide some means of measuring the change in output voltage which it causes as this is a measure of the change in power'which amplifier 2 delivers to thermistor Ta and therefore a direct measure of the radio-frequency power. l

In Fig. 3 this is accomplished by means of an indicating bridge I connected to the output of amplifier 2 througha blocking capacitorV Ci. Basically, this bridge operates on substantially the same principle as the voltage measuring bridge disclosed in United States Patent 339,058

`to Howell, granted March 30, 1886 or by the bridge arrangement of the Greinacher et al. Patent 1,287,970 granted December 17, l9l8. Additional refinements, however, which are necessary to the successful practice of this invention are incorporated.

It will be noted that this, bridge 3 comprises four essentially resistive arms and la meter M across its horizontal: diagonal. One arm contains an adjustable resistor Rs in series with a fixed resistor Re. 'I'.wo of the other arms contain redirect current source of regulated voltage isfconnested across the vertical diagonal of the bridge to provide current for the direct current meter M. It will be understood that when thermistor To. which mayhereinfater be referred to as the compensating thermistor, is ata resistance which balances the bridge. no current will now through meter M. As the radio frequency energy tobe measured is applied to the thermistor Tg and the voltage output of amplifier 2v changes. the current passing through the compensating thermistor Tc also changes. thereby changing its resistance. 'I'his unbalances the bridge and causes a deflection of meter M. Thermistor Tc is called the compensating thermistor because in addition to itsfunction as a nonlinearresistor in the indicating bridge it also, acts to compensate the entire system against the effects of ambient temperature changes.

In order to preheat the thermistors above normal ambient temperature. t he direct current source of regulated voltage is connected to both bridges'through variable resistors R1 and Rio, respectively. This source also l,provides a known change in power to the radio frequency thermistor Tn for calibration purposes, which will be more fully described later. l

Comparing Fig. 3 with Fig. l, it will be noted that resistor Ris of vthe power measuring bridge i corresponds with resistor Ris of Fig. 1 and that this resistor is in series with the radio frequency thermistor Ta. Also, variabie'resistor Rs in one arm of the indicating bridge 3 will be found in series with the compensating thermistor To and corresponds with Rs of Fig. 1. 'I'he operation of the bridge stabilized oscillator of Fig. 3 is such as to automatically provide the function previously described for the variable alternating power source of Fig. l, thereby automatically maintaining the radib frequency thermistor Ta at a 'substantially constantresistance independent of ambient temperature variation. It vmay here be stated that an ambient temperature variation acting on radio frequency thermistor Ta has the same effect on the voltage output of the oscillator as would radio frequency energy dissipated therein. Therefore. unless compensating measures are taken. ambient temperature variatio will cause false-readings of the indicating bridge. lBy adjusting variable resistor Rs in the indicating bridge l of Fig. 3, the compensating thermistor To can be caused to remain of constant resistance independent of ambient temperature variations. Consequently the indicatingv bridge 3 is rendered effectively insensitive to any ambient temperature variation in exactly the manner described for Fig. l.

The preliminary adjustments foradjusting the compensating circuit and also to calibratev the system of Fig. 3 are as follows: With switch Sx in its Volts position. the meter is connected directly across the input terminals of the power measuring bridge i. Switch Sr should be in its Test position. The direct current power adjusting resistor Rw is then adjusted until-the meter M reads a predeterminedf voltage. It is not particularly critical what this voltage is so long as it supplies enough power to the radio frequency thermistor to raise4 its temperature somewhaL above ambient and thereby lower the output voltage E of the amplifier 2 to some reasonably low level within the operating range of the oscillator.

-Swltch S1 is then moved to its Test position there- 'by connecting inem M across Nthe indicating bridge l. A variable resistor R1 is then adjusted to bring the indicating bridge I to balance as indicated by its meter M. If the instrument is to be used under constant ambient temperature conditions it can be calibrated at this point but if not, compensating adjustments are necessary.

As the two thermistors are both subjected to the same ambient temperature conditions, the ambient temperature is artificially raised or lowered several degrees from the original condition. This will usually cause a deflection of meter M. Balance is partially restored by adjusting Athecompensating adjusting rheostat Rs and the temperature again changed followed by another adjustment of Rs. 'This is repeated as described for Fig. 1 until no change in meter deflection occurs with wide variations of temperature. Changes in ambient temperature over a considerable range should now have no effect, whatever. on the deilection of meter M. As previously stated this is a very important feature of this invention without which successful rapid operation would be change from amplifier 2 will cause the indicating,

made of a few of its components.

impossible.

Switch Sz is now moved from its Test position to its calibrating position Cal. It will be observed that 4this removes the shunt resistor Rn from the circuit and short-circuits the series resistor R12, leaving only the variable direct current power adjusting resistor Rio and resistor Ru in circuit with the direct current power source and the power measuring bridge I. Preferably, thisI does not change the impedance from the power source looking into the power'measuring bridge to the right of the variable resistor Rio. However, it does change the amount ofdirect current power dissipated in the radio frequency thermistor Tn by an exact known amount, for example onev milliwatt. As this change in power effects4 only one of the thermistors, the resulting voltage bridge l to unbalance thereby producing a deflection of mete;` M. By adjusting series resistor Ra. the deflection of meter M may be made full scale or any other convenient amount to which the scale of meter M is calibrated. Now by returning the calibrating switch Ba to its Test position. the instrument is ready for measuring radio frequency power. Any radio frequency power dis. sipated in the radio frequency thermistor Ta will produce a voltage change of amplier 2 as previously explained. thereby unbalancing the indieating bridge 3 by an amount corresponding to the amount of radio frequency power dissipated.

Meter M, having been calibrated for a known amount of power, will indicate directly the amount of power received fromthe radio frequency source.

Before leaving Fig. 3, speciflcfmention may be The main purpose for blocking capacitor C4 in the power measuring bridge I is to exclude direct current from that branch of the bridge. Its reactance is sumciently low to have no appreciable effect on the balance condition of the bridge. Therefore, this arm, in so far as the.' oscillator frequency is concerned, is essentially resistive. The power measuring headitself is so constructed asfto permit the passage of Ihigh frequency energy through the radio frequency thermistor Ta but excludes it from all other portions of the bridge. Similarly,'direct current energy and the alternating current energy from the oscillator may flow freely through the radio frequency thermistor Ta. In the indicating bridge 3 the impedances Z have a negligibly small direct current resistance but a A substantially infinite impedance to the frequency of the oscillator.' Therefore, the alternating current from the oscillator is confined to the bridge branch comprising the compensating thermistor Tc and-the compensating adjusting rheostatRs and resistor Re. Direct current. however, flows freely through both branches of this bridge. Y l

Fig. d discloses a diierent embodiment of this invention, although basically identical with the arrangement shown in Fig. 3. In this figure the power measuring bridge' I and the ampliiler 2 are coupled in essentially the same manner as in Fig. 3 except that transformers are` employed. The frequency of this oscillator, as in Fig. 3, is also not critical, and is controlled largely by tuning the amplifier by conventional means. The capacitors in series with the radio frequency thermistorTa and resistor Ris, effectively block the passage of any direct current through these two arms of the bridge except, of course, for the obvious path provided through the radio irequency thermistor Te. Arms Ris and Rn of the power measuring bridge i have the dual function of providing ratio arms for not only the power measuring bridge i but also for the indicating bridge 3. In thlsway the branch comprising resistors R1 and Re of theindicating bridge 3 of Fig. 3 has been eliminated. The operation, however, is identical. Currents of oscillator frequency are isolated from the meter circuit by the anti-resonant impedancc Z which will be found connected in series with the meter when the meter is connected to the indicating bridge t. A meter resistance network comprising resistor RM in parallel with a temperature compensating thermistor TM provides temperature compensation for the meter M, thereby compensating the meter M for changes l dicates some predetermined voltage. As previously stated this voltage is not particularly criti- I cal but should be some voltage previously deterstore balance.

S2 to its Cal position. This, as in Fig. 3,-in`

in its sensitivity with .changes in ambient .tem-

gain amplifier 2, the heating element of the thermai relay begins to heat. By the time the various components in the regulated direct current mined as suiilcient to bring the radio frequency thermistor to the proper operating temperature above ambient. A multiplying. resistor Rv may be connected in series with the meter when it is used as avoltmeter. If necessary, the cold switch Sa may be momentarily closed. Switch Si is then returned to its Test position. Meter M will undoubtedly be deected. A preliminary balanceV may be obtained b y adjusting resistor R1, or if necessary both" Rn and R1'.

The ambient temperature `which effects both thermistors Ta and To is then changedby several degrees, for example 20 C. Unless the instrument is accidentally correctly adjusted to compensate for ambient temperature variations the meter M will be again deflected. Re in series with the compensating thermistor should then be adjusted in the direction to only partially re- The position of the meter M is noted and the ambient temperature is again changed. The direction in the change of the deectlon of meter M is once Ymore-noted and resistor Rs is once more adjusted to return the pointer part way to the position it assumed just before the last temperature change. This is followed by another change in temperature and Aanother adjustment of variable resistor Rs. This series of operations 'is continued until the two thermistors may be carried through wide temperature variations without any change in deflection of the meter M. The meter M may then be brought to exact zero by adjusting variable resistor R1.

The apparatus is calibrated by moving switch creases the direct current power to the radio frequency thermistor Ta by a known amount, for example one milliwatt. Rheostat Rs is then adiusted until meter M assumes a convenient defiectionf for example, full scale or some otherV deflection convenient to the calibration of its scale, The switch S2 is returned to its Test position and the apparatus is ready for measuringv radio frequency power. AIt will indicatedirectly power source and the amplifier 2 are suiiiciently heated the thermal relay opens its 4contacts thereby removing the short circuit from the meter circuit M. These contacts remain open so long as the main switch is closed.

At low temperatures some dimculty is experienced in getting the compensating thermistor To to heat up. The heating of this thermistor may be accomplished by temporarily closing the cold boost switch S3 which momentarily short-circuits a series-connected resistor R10. This materially increases the current through the compensating thermistor thereby bringing its resistance down into the operating region. When the resistance has sufliciently lowered, this switch is opened.

The operation of this circuit is substantially the same as previously described for Fig. 3. Briefly, however, and with particular reference to Fig. 4, the operation is as follows: Meter switch Si is thrown to its Volts position. Switch S2 is left on its Test position as indicated in Fig. 4. Variable resistor Rio is then adjusted until the meter inthe amount o! radiofrequency power dissipated in the radio frequency thermistor Ta. i

Fig, 5 discloses a convenient switching arrangement ganging the two blades of switch Si and the single switch blade of switch Sc. It will be noted that the switch blades 'of Si are -connected to points A and B respectively of Fig. 4 while the switch blade of Sa is connected to point C of Fig. 4. The connections to the associated apparatus is clearly shown in Fig. 5 and a more comparison of this ilgure with Fig. 4 clearly lindicates how the connections are made. From the previous description of the operation of Fig. 4, the operation ofFig. 5 is obvious and no further description is necessary.

Fig. 6 schematically discloses one form of power measuring head useful in the practice of this inventlon. In this figure it will be noted that the radio frequency thermistor Ta is included in the power measuring head associated with a section of wave guide. The capacitance Cs is of such size as to provide a very low reactance to the high frequency energy impressed on the radio frequency thermistor Ta. However, this capacitance has negligibly small reactance to the alternating current from the bridge stabilized oscillator. One terminal ofthe thermistor is connected to the inside wall of the power measuring head. This the grounded end of the thermistoi` as shown inv granted to A. P. King, February 18, 1941, particularly Fig. 20 thereof. Another power measuring head obeying substantially the same laws and which may be used in the xpractice of this invention may be found in the above-cited reference to Electronic Industries for June 1945, page A80.

In order to insure that the ambient temperature aifects both thermistors equally, the compensating thermistor Tc is included inside a metallic enclosure thermally attached to the power measuring head as shown in Fig. 6. The connection of this thermistor into the bridge circuits of Figs. 3 and -.4 is also obvious.

y What is claimed is:

1. A high frequency power measuring circuit comprising in combination a bridge network having four arms, one of which arms includes a thermist'or, means for applying the high frequency power to be measured to said thermistor to tend to change its temperature land consequently its resistance, a separate source of variable power connected to said bridge adapted to automatically supply variable power thereto to maintain it in substantial balance irrespective of conditionsl tending lto change the temperature and resistance of the thermistor. an indicating bridge also having four arms connected to said source of power and including an indicating instrument across a diagonal thereof for indicating a change in power supplied by the power source to the first bridge,

l2 variable power connected to said bridge adapted to automatically supply variable power thereto to maintain it in substantial balance irrespective of conditions tending to change the temperature and resistance of the thermistor, an indicating bridge also having four arms connected to said source of power and including an indicating instrument across a diagonal thereof for indicating a change in power supplied by the power source to the first bridge. a thermistor also included in one arm of the indicating bridge and a variable impedance connected in circuit with the last-named thermistor 'to adjust the power it receives from said variable p'ower source. whereby said last-named thermistor may be made to render the indicating bridge insensitive to ambient temperature variations and sensitive only to any high frequency power applied to the first-named thermistor.

5. A high frequency' power measuring circuit comprising in combination a bridge network having four arms, one of which arms includes a thermistor. means for applying the high frequency power to be measured to said thermistor to tend to change its temperature and consequently its resistance, a high gain amplifier with input and output terminals connected respectively to output and input terminals of said bridge whereby the bridge is automatically maintained in substantial balance irrespective of conditions tending to f. change the temperature and resistance of the a thermistor also included in one arm of the indicatingbridge and a variable impedance connected in circuit with the last-named thermistor to ad- Just the power it receives from said variable power source, whereby said last-named thermistor may be made to render the indicating bridge insensitive to ambient temperature variations and sensitive only to any high frequency power applied to the first-named thermistor.

2. The combination in accordance with claim l wherein said indicating instrument is a direct current gaivanometer and there is added to, said combination a source of direct current and ad- .instable resistors connecting the direct current source in series with each of said thermistors,

whereby direct current power of adjustable magnitude may be dissipated in each of the two thermlstors.

3. 'I'he combination in accordance with claim 2 and a calibrating switch connected across a part of the resistance in series with the direct current source and said first-named thermistor, whereby the .power dissipated in said thermistor may.be changed by a known amount for calibration pur- POSe.

4. A high frequency power measuring circuit comprising in combination a bridge network having four arms, one of which arms includes a thermistor, a power measuring head comprising a section of metallic wave guide with the thermistor mounted within its walls to absorb energy from the electric power delivered by the wave guide whereby the temperature and resistance of said thermistor is changed, a separate source of thermistor, anA indicating bridge also having four arms connected to said source of power and including an indicating instrument across a diagonal thereof for indicating a change in power supplied bythe power source tothe first bridge, a thermistor also included in one arm of the indicating bridge and a variable impedance connected' in circuit with the last-named thermistor to ad- `J ust the power it receives from said variable power source, whereby said last-named thermistor may be made to render the indicating bridge insensitive to ambient temperature variations and sensitive only to any high' frequency power applied to the first-named thermistor. A

6. The combination in accordance with claim 5 wherein said indicating instrument'ls a direct current galvanometer and there is added to said combination a source of direct current and adinstable resistors connecting the direct current source in series with" each of said thermistors. whereby direct current power of adjustable magnitude maybe dissipated in each of the two thermistors.

7. The combination in accordance with claim 6 and a calibrating switch connected across a part of the resistance in series with the direct current source and said first-named thermistor. whereby the powervdissipated in said thermistor may be changedby a known amount for calibration purposes. l .v

8.A high frequency power measuring circuit comprisingin combination a bridge network having four arms, one of :which arms includes a thermistor. means for applying the high frequency power to ybe measured to said thermistor to tend to change its temperature and consequently its resistance, a high gain ampllner with input and output terminals connected respectively to output and input terminals of said bridge to constitute with the bridge a bridge stabilized oscillator wherein the bridge is.' automatically maintained in substantial balance irrespective of conditions tending to change the temperature and resistance'of the thermistor, an

render the indicating bridge insensitive to ambienttemperature wariations and sensitive only to any 14 may be changed by a known amount for calibration purposes. I 14. A high frequency power measuring circuit comprising in combination a bridge network having four arms. one of which arms includes a thermistor, a power measuring head comprising a sectionof metallic wave guide with the thermister mounted vwithin its walls to absorb energy from `the electric power delivered by the high frequency power applied to the first-named l thermistor. l

9. The combination in accordance with claim 8 wherein said indicating instrument is a' direct current galvanometer and there is added to said combination a source of direct current and adjustable resistors connecting the direct current source in series with each of said thermistors, whereby direct current power of adjustable magnitude may be dissipated in each of the two thermistors. i y

10. The combination in accordance with claim 9 and a calibrating switch connected across va part of the resistance in series' :with the direct current source and said first-named thermistor. whereby the power dissipated in said thermistor may be changed by a known amount for calibration purposes. y

11. A high frequency power measuring circuit comprising in combination a bridge network having four arms, one of which arms includes a thermistor, a power measuring head comprising a section of metallic wave guide with the thermistor mounted within its wallsv toabsorb energy from the electricpower delivered by the wave guide whereby the temperature and resistance of said thermistor are changed, a separate source of variable power connected to said bridge adapted to automatically supply variable wave guide whereby the temperature and resistance of said thermistor are changed. a high gain amplifier with input and output terminals connected respectively to output and input terminals of said bridge whereby the bridge is automatically maintained in substantial balance irrespective of conditions tending to change the temperature and resistance of the thermistor, an indicating bridge also having four arms connected to said source of power and including anindicating in-` strument across a diagonal thereof for indicating a change in power supplied by the power source to the first bridge, a thermistor also included in one arm of the indicating'bridge, and a variable impedance connected in circuit `with the last-named thermistor to adjust the power it receives from said variable lpower source, whereby said iastnamed thermistor may be made to render the indicating bridge insensitive to ambient temperature variations and sensitive only to any high frequency power applied to the first-named thermlStOl'.

power thereto to maintain it in substantial balance irrespective of conditions tending to change the temperature and resistance of the thermistor, an indicating bridge also having four arms connected to said source of power and including an indicating instrument across a diagonal thereof for indicating a change in power supplied by the power source to the first bridge, a thermistor also included in one arm of the indicating bridge, said thermistor being mounted within a thermally conductive enclosurein thermal contact 15. A high frequency power measuring circuit comprising in combination a bridge network have ing four arms, one of which arms includes a thermistor, a power measuring head comprising a section of metallic wave guide with the thermister mounted within its walls to absorbenergy from the electric power delivered by the wave guide whereby the temperature and resistance of the thermistor are changed, a high gain amplifier with input and output terminals connected respectively to output and input terminals of said bridge tofconstitute with the bridge a bridge stabilized oscillator wherein the bridge is automatically maintained in substantial balance irrespective of conditions tending to change with said wave guide and a variable impedance source in series with eachof said thermistors,

whereby direct current power of adjustable magnitude may be dissipated in each of the two thermistors.

13. The combination in accordance with claim 12 and a calibrating switch connected acrossa part of the resistance in series with the direct current source 4and. said rst-named thermistor.

whereby the power dissipated in' said thermistor the temperature and resistance of the thermistor, an indicating bridge also having four arms connected to said source of power and including an indicating instrument across a diagonal thereof for indicating a change in power supplied by the pqwer source to the rst bridge, a thermistor` also included in one arm of the indicating bridge and a variable impedance connected in circuit with the last-named thermistor @to adjust the power it receives from said variable power source, whereby said last-named thermistor may be made to render the indicating bridge insensitive to ambient temperature variations 'and sensitive only to any high frequency power applied to the firstnamed thermistor.

16. A high frequency power measuring circuitv comprising in combination a bridge network having four arms. one of which arms includes a thermistor, a power measuring head comprising a. section of metallic wave guide with the thermistor mounted within its walls to absorb energy from the electric power delivered by the wave guide whereby the temperature and resistance of said thermistor are changed, a high 'gain ampliiierwith input and output terminals connected respectively to output and input terminals of said bridge whereby the bridge is automatically maintained in substantial balance irrespective of conditions tending to change the temperature and resistance of the thermistor, an indicating bridge also having four arms connected to said source of power and including an indicating instrument across a diagonal thereof for indicating a change in power supplied vby the power source to the first bridge, a thermistor also included 'in one arm of the indicatingcbridge, said thermistor being mounted in a thermally conductive enclosure in thermal contact with said wave guide anda var.

iable impedance connected in circuit with the last-mentioned thermistor to adjust the power it .having four arms, one of which arms includes a thermistor, a power measuring head comprising a section of-metailic wave guide with the thermistor mounted within its walls to absorb energy from the electric power delivered bythe wave guide whereby the temperature and resistance of said u auacva thermistor are changed. a highgain ampliiierwith input andl output terminals connected respectively to output and input terminals ci said bridge to constitute with the bridge a bridge stabilized 'oscillator wherein the bridge is automatically -maintained in substantial balance irrespective of conditions tending to change the temperature ,and resistance of the thermistor. an indicating bridge also having four arms connected to said lo source of power and including an 'indicating insjisrument acro a diagonal thereof for indicata changein power supplied by the power source to the'iirst bridge. a thermistoralso ineluded in yone arm of the indicating bridge, said thermistor being -mounted y within' a thermally conductive enclosure in thermal contact with said wave guide. and a variable impedance connected in circuitv with the last-named thermistor to adjust the power it receives from said variable power source. whereby last-named ther- -mistor'may be made to render the indicating 4bridge-insensitive to ambient temperature variations and sensitive only to any high frequency .power applied to the first-named thermistor.

EDWARD W. HOUGHTON. 

